Episode 5 Ulster Rugby Live

Ulster arrive at Ravenhill after back-to-back Heineken Cup victories.

On the last Pro12 outing Paddy Jackson took them to an away win

over the Ospreys. Tonight there is more Welsh opposition. Ulster

defeated Cardiff on the last visit here, but this is a Blues team which

beat the European champions and has a Licensed captain in the starting

line-up. It is a tough task for Mark Anscombe and his mentor night. It is

Ulster versus Cardiff tonight. Everyone is dressed in pink to raise

money for cancer. The Ulster players will play in their searching pink

socks. Good evening and welcome to round six of the RaboDirect Pro12.

Since we were last here, there have been memorable wins in Europe and

Ruan Pienaar has pledged his future to Ulster until the summer of 2017.

We have a special half-time feature with him to relive some of his

favourite memories so far. Joining me in the studio, two men who have

gone to the white shirt of Ulster. It is fourth against seven tonight,

both of these teams are coming off big wins in Europe, it is the recipe

for a great game. Both sides are coming into form. It is fantastic.

Great results for Ulster and for Cardiff against Toulon. What a

performance that was given the week they had before. Ulster started the

season slowly, but for wins in a row now. How important is that? It is

huge. It is the way they have gone about it. It is the maturity they

have shown. Against the Ospreys, you are down points, and you found a way

to win. You go to Montpellier, an impressive home record, you control

territory and tactically you get it right and come away with big wins

away from home. That is huge. The big change in the Ulster side is the

introduction of Stewart Golding. I am very excited. He is such a

talented player. I suppose it is which Cardiff turns up tonight? Sam

Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny, individually they have got the

quality, but it has been that cohesiveness which is missing and

are times when they put it together.

Here is Leigh Halfpenny and an opportunity for Richard Smith on the

wing instead of the injured Alex Cuthbert. Cardiff are kept waiting,

but there is a lot of resource on the faces and a lot of experience,

look that Bradley Davies who has been around for ever, Gethin Jenkins

the most capped Welsh forward of all time. Johann Miller leading out

Ulster. -- Johann Miller. After an extraordinary performance and a

memorable victory away from home in the Heineken Cup, Ulster have to

come back home and pick it all up and do it all again in front of

their home crowd. What unwelcome they are getting. -- what a welcome.

A couple of changes at prop. Callum Black starts. John Afoa was

originally on the bench but has been drafted in because of an injury.

Declan Fitzpatrick is injured. Stewart Golding starting at

full-back, Jared Payne at outside centre and Andrew Trimble on the

right wing with a major point to prove. Ulster may be the stronger

with a couple of international players there including Darren Cave.

The referee there. His ninth league game and his first appearance here

at Ravenhill. Just checking with his assistance. -- assistance. There is

Rhys Patchell starting the game. That is not the greatest art and

straight into touch. Ulster could have taken the quick throw but I

think they will go back for the scrimmage. A bit of an air there and

Rhys Patchell will be kicking himself. It gives Ulster a chance to

get straight into the game. Ulster are looking for consistency and

performance and it is there to say they have improved and we are

looking for that pattern to continue this evening. Cardiff are about ?5

-- pounds a man heavier. Tom Court is on the bench. A well-deserved

rest. Callum Black has only missed one much they scored since the start

of last season. He is up against Scott Andrews and has been

mentioned, Ulster are wearing a pink socks because of their involvement

with their chosen charity, Cancer research UK. I am sure everyone

would like to wish Matthew Rees all the best with his own personal

battle with cancer. From everyone in Belfast, we hope everything goes

well for you. No Matthew Rees in the middle of the front row for Cardiff,

Mark Breeze is there, with Gethin Jenkins and on the side, Scott

Andrews who is a big unit, 19 stones. Good squeeze by Ulster, Rory

Best has popped up, picked up by Roger Wilson. Jackson, Jared Payne,

will have a go I am sure. He has made some decent ground, a quick

ball. Robbie Diack. A nice swift off-load onto Dan Tuohy. Named on

the Irish panel for the autumn internationals. John Afoa, first of

the season. Jackson got it away well. Rory Best there. Andrew

Trimble. Jackson, a lovely pass, well taken and well moved by Johann

Miller. Our lively style by the home side, here comes Jared Payne! He has

got to him! The pitch turning up but. They have the ball. Jackson.

Taken on by Callum Black. Scott Andrews makes the tackle, switched

by Ruan Pienaar. Tommy Bowe, nicely done. Luke Marshall up against Cory

Allen. John Afoa. Losing out from the crowd. Jackson, there is another

obstruction there. Not so, says the referee. What a start! Ruan Pienaar,

Jackson, Chris Henry. Henry goes to ground just inside the 22. Andrew

Trimble, Jared Payne, not a lot of room for the New Zealander to show

his skills. Cardiff have slowed it down a bit, Johann Miller has it in

there. Now it is Ruan Pienaar. Robbie Diack. Ruan Pienaar again.

Ulster need to get something from this pressure, three minutes of

nonstop possession. The ball was just nudged forward. Ruan penile was

there. What a lovely passage of play. -- Ruan Pienaar. Some lovely

playing there. Good defence from Cardiff. It is something we suffered

with this year. We need to go back to their away game against Exeter.

Subsequently, they sacked the defensive quote. You can see the

difference already. -- coach. The Cardiff Blues with the ball. It is

Lloyd Williams, capped 15 times for Wales. His father played in the test

for the Lions. He command at the end of the great Gareth Edwards career.

-- he came in. That is untidy. Callum Black protesting that Scott

Andrews has taken it to the ground. The service is holding up pretty

well without scrimmage was. -- surface. Just packing down on the

near side of the Cardiff back row is Sam Warburton who has been an

outstanding captain. The getting an air leave squeeze on, the referee is

insisting that Williams puts it in. A good run by Ulster. It has gone

from 90 degrees perfectly legally. They got the squeeze on and they got

it put into the scrum, Gethin Jenkins is not happy. Ulster have to

be careful. There were almost halfway before the ball came into

the scrum. We have to be careful. We see referees penalising teams for

this and that there is something that Ulster will have to be wary of.

Cardiff, apart from kicking the ball off, have not been outside their own

half and we have played over six minutes of this opening game at

Ravenhill. I saw the blast of the whistle. The referee is not happy

with what is going on on the far side of the Cardiff front row. He

has given the penalty. I think I heard him say to Gethin Jenkins that

you are pushing inside. It is Paddy Jackson who is shaping up. We can

see a bit more of this good straight back from John Afoa. I think Ulster

would have been happy to play the scrum. The referee has given a

penalty and Paddy will have a go. The Ulster set piece looks strong

already. You will hardly notice any difference. A great performance

against Montpellier then. The assistant drew the attention of the

referee to something. Here is Paddy Jackson. A very good start by Paddy

Jackson. All that pressure had to yield something and Paddy Jackson

got it absolutely right and a very happy home crowd, 3-0 to Ulster.

Once you get into the opposition it is vital you do not leave without

points. That was straight down the middle. Got this one just about

right. Taken in by Roger Wilson. Hard to believe it is 75 years since

his grandfather started in the British Lions tour to South Africa

in 1938. His senior brother Des played for Ireland. The only pair of

brothers ever to do that. The stadium clock is not working. I will

take the time here. That is not so good. It looks like a tweak to the

left leg of Johann Miller. I hope it is not a calf tear. There are quite

a few of those in the Ulster side. I think it is an ankle. Lewis

Stevenson, I can see on the far side, is starting to warm up. That

is not exactly what Ulster would have wanted, particularly with Ian

Henderson, has one of those big boots on. David Irwin is there with

the doctor. Johann Miller is made of stern stuff. He has been an

outstanding player. He leads from the front. It is surprisingly see

him play given the fact that Declan Fitzpatrick... There was the

likelihood of rotations. There might have been the possibility he would

rested tonight. Depending on how he fares, we might see Lewis Stevenson

on earlier than planned. 3-0 to Ulster. Another scrum to the Cardiff

Blues. Lloyd Williams, good squeeze by Ulster. He finds himself in that

unfortunate position where he is trying to get away, but with the

card of support coming in over the top of him, he has nowhere to go. He

leaned back towards the Ulster line and if he had done that one, it he

might not get away with it. Rhys Patchell could level the scores. It

is Lee Halfpenny. The man of the series in the most recent tour to

Australia. Seven minutes of pressure produced an Ulster penalty. A very

subdued atmosphere ten minutes into the game. The crowd are not very

vocal. They are looking to -- something to get their teeth into.

There are plenty of big beefy Cardiff forwards. That is a good

restart kick. Good tackle by John Afoa, Williams, Rhys Patchell. Here

comes Robin Copeland. This is good stuff, Dafydd Hewitt trying to make

an outside break. Much better from Cardiff, Williams gets it away. Good

pressure by Ulster. Much quicker offensive line. A nice bit of play

by Robin Copeland. It holds on, hold on, draws in the defenders, creates

an overlap for Cardiff. There was that little knock forward and it was

by Sam Warburton. It was a dreadful pass. He had no chance with that

pass. There is Sam Warburton, 38 times capped for Wales. He has

declared that the matter what happens he wants to stay in Cardiff.

-- no matter. Ruan Pienaar. A free kick to Cardiff. It looks like it is

a little tap. Not even the tap. That is an ASCII one. -- a nasty one.

Jackson outside the 22. Rhys Patchell covers back. Good

positional play by Stuart Olding. It looks comfortable. Interesting kick

off the outside of the foot but he has made his touch. He looks

composed. The game is bubbling along, nothing really to much

happening, looking for a moment of inspiration. They are looking to

gain momentum, get the crowd into this match. This is Mark Breeze

plain his 27th league game for the Cardiff Blues this evening.

Williams, Dafydd Hewitt, well tackled by Rory Best who has

stripped the ball away from him and Ulster have stolen that one. There

is a chance on this side. Dan Tuohy is likely net! -- legging it. Cory

Allen got back and made it safe. They will have to take this on,

Gethin Jenkins into Johann Muller. Great play by Carter. Lloyd Williams

keeps it infield. Stuart Olding, Andrew Trimble, outside it was Jared

Payne snapping for the ball. Here he goes! Has he got the pace? He

certainly has! Can Ulster capitalise? They have slowed down. A

little shack by John Afoa. Ruan Pienaar, nicely done. Here is Luke

Marshall! He gets it away to Dan Tuohy! Wonderful try! Numbers five

and six together. The pass was perfect. The finish from Dan Tuohy

was dead on. Rory Best game, invoking the choke tackle. Paddy

Jackson ripping the ball away. It is Paddy Jackson coming in of the wing.

He led that beautifully. He was able to propel the ball out. And nice

finish, good combination. I was concerned there might have been a

bit of blocking, but what our final finishing pass from Robbie Diack.

Dan Tuohy scampered in for his fifth league try. It has been evident that

Ulster are stretching the game. From one side to the other, using the

food will -- width of the pitch. Johann Muller has left the field. We

can confirm that in a second as we watch Paddy Jackson. Rory Best is

injured as well. Jackson, made a bit of a mess there. Rory Best is up

again. He took a bit of a bang and he is hobbling. He is 30! The pet

has absorbed a lot of moisture. The calf muscle is the one muscle which

is going to go. Lewis Stevenson on, Roger Wilson takes that better than

anyone in the northern hemisphere. He had for years doing it for

Northampton and he is back in home turf. An ASCII kick from Ruan

Pienaar. -- a nasty kick. Here is Breeze. Dan Tuohy. Lloyd Williams,

Rhys Patchell. What a tackle by a Jared Payne on the Halfpenny! -- Lee

Halfpenny. Cardiff seem to have a man ought to. Ulster are trying to

get menopause. -- trying to get men across. A lucky escape for Ulster.

It was a full repertoire of his skills. A fantastic field of the

high ball and sliding through on the 22. A great tackle by a Jared Payne.

He played for Munster. I do not think they are any relation. All the

way down to Harry Robinson, now it is Halfpenny, Rhys Patchell, he

decides to kick and that is not a bad one. Paddy Jackson has to be

kick has to be quick. -- has to be quick. It is taken by Halfpenny. He

has to be stopped early, and he is. Rhys Patchell. Making a forward

pass. Halfpenny again. Lewis Stevenson has a great job on. Lloyd

Williams, Gethin Jenkins the target. Williams looking outside and

Rhys Patchell. He needs someone to come to his shoulder. Back on the

blues side, Breeze. Williams, Ulster very nearly stealing it and they

have stolen it. Ruan Pienaar. Here goes Tommy Bowe! Trying to get it

past Robinson. Robinson is down. Back goes Halfpenny! Great tackle by

Luke Marshall. Ulster are looking for a second try. Well done to the

Blues for relieving a difficult situation. Rhys Patchell into touch

for an Ulster line-out. Dan Tuohy picking up the loose ball on the

ground. Tommy Bowe putting a huge amount of pressure on Harry

Robinson. It has paid off. Rory Best is leaving the field, which is not

so good for Ulster or for Ireland and I am pretty sure it is not all

that serious, but you would not know at this stage, it is certainly not

just a headache causing Rory Best to come off.

I am not convinced Scott Andrews was not taking Calum Brown down a little

bit. Despite the torrential downpour, it is in pretty good nick.

There is no wind. They get the penalty. I am pretty

sure they will go for the posts as well. They just dismantled the

scrum. That takes its toll physically as well. That is really

fantastic. A great show at the back. They have struggled with the control

at the back of the scrum. Old stone needed that one and

Jackson has provided it. Two out of four for Ulster's outside half. Dash

of stone. The referee was looking at the touch

judge who did not say anything about it. It may well have come off and

Ulster player. They snuffed things out at source. He was hustled into

touch by Chris Henry, so it is a line-out.

That is not so clever by Ulster, they have given the ball away.

Ball stealing going on by both sets of players. It is going to be a

Cardiff scrum. Ulster are playing with a lot of confidence. They are

prepared to have a go inside their own 22. Cardiff are attacking the

ball on the tackle as well, which is very important. A bit of a stoppage

because of an injury to a Cardiff player. The oldest man in the squad

is now coming on. He is now 36 years of age. He has been around for ever

it seems. He has played 155 games for the Cardiff blues.

Not a bad time to bring him on because it is a Cardiff scrum. Eight

minutes until the interval. Callum Black has got a 20 stone

person to face for the rest of the game.

Cardiff trying to plough straight down the middle.

Wonderful covering by Ulster. The referee has played advantage and

that is a try. They close the gap. He has been the stand of forward on

the pitch this evening. He is very comfortable receiving the ball and

off-loading in the tackle. The referee said play on and Copeland

certainly did play on. Nobody at home on the narrow side for Ulster.

Copeland just stepped inside. This is his 32nd appearance for Cardiff.

Cardiff are by no means out of it. No. The touch line judge is saying

there is five minutes to go. He runs well, for a big guy, nice and

upright. That was a very good kick. Yes, you touched that. Cardiff will

still have time to close this gap. That was a rare lapse of

concentration. It has given Cardiff possession. And a great field

position as well. Ulster are looking a little bit fragmented.

Copeland is in fine form. Bradley Davies captained Wales on their test

in the summer. Copeland is leading from the front. I am sure if the

Irish management are here tonight, they will be taking notes, because

he has been very impressive. One more year and he will qualify to

play for Wales, but as he declared this week, he wants to play for

Ireland. Ulster are looking comfortable.

It is the wrong side of the field for him as a right footed kicker.

But this is the sort of thing he does probably in his sleep.

Still a little bit of time to go and the Cardiff replacement is looking

ready. Cardiff have done nicely. On the back of losing Rory Best, Ulster

are back into the game. The scoreline does not flatter either

side. It is a real contest. Jackson, Philip Smith, Tommy Bowe made the

tackle. Robin Copeland. Lloyd Williams. There is an air of

confidence about this Cardiff side. Cory Allen had to check. He has

kicked that into touch. They have to come back because the ball was

passed back into the 22. Maybe it was not. A bit of a con flab with

the referee there. He has asked to go upstairs. That was passed back

inside. The kick was put directly into touch so they have to go back

to inside the 22, directly opposite the point from which the ball was

kicked, so into the last minute and Ulster will be looking to get

something before the interval. They will not want to concede anything.

That was a bad mistake by Cardiff. Rob Herring. That was right round.

Well set up by Ulster and by: Black, Ruan Pienaar, Chris Henry has to

check. Sam Warburton -- Callum Black. A lovely pass by Jackson.

Stuart Olding comes into the line. Jack said again, taken on by Rob

Herring who runs into Philip Smith. , -- Jackson. Ruan Pienaar, now

Jackson. Well done by Luke Marshall. Good tackle by the

experience Dafydd Hewitt. Jackson again. John Afoa. We need the quick

ball. They might just have suffered a turnover. It is Robin Copeland who

gets it away and gets it into touch and Ulster's chants of points before

the interval have just gone. Ulster will be reasonably happy -- chants

of points. The card of defence has stood up well. Noticeable game that

they are committing a few men, but more importantly they are tackling

and they are making it difficult for Ulster to produce any fast quick

ball to get into it. Subsequently, the game has become a bit stop

start. Ulster are in the lead. The fans are not worried. The half-time

score is Ulster 16-11. It has been an entertaining first half. Running

an excellent tries by Dan Tuohy and the impressive Jarrod pain. Ulster

disrupted with injuries -- Jarrod pain. Cardiff are back into the

game, a great try by Robin Copeland. It is 16 points to 11 at half-time.

Paddy Jackson has kicked two out of four, Halfpenny with two out of

three. Anti-war and and Ryan comfortable have been enjoying a

good first-half and Ulster are deserve it of their lead -- Andy

Ward. Cardiff got themselves back into it. If they had kept applying

the pressure, I think Cardiff would have been coming into the changing

room asking what they had to do. There are so many parts that have

gone well for Ulster and they let Cardiff off the hook and they

released pressure. Cardiff are going in there I bit more buoyant. The way

Ulster started was outstanding. They dominated possession and territory,

good ball security, recycling it, they lived in total control of the

match and the point started to come after that period of dominance. You

are a big fan of Jarrod pain. Obviously his great setup, that

first try. It is great. He is not the quickest, that to hand carry,

you are always in two minds about what will happen and the

decision-making and the timing in the past is impeccable. His

springboard things and Ulster are going forward and the ball was

coming back at will. Great decisions, great off-loads and the

boys are running off each other's shoulder. That try was fantastic. At

that point we thought it would be a great night for Ulster rugby.

Interesting to see Ulster spreading it whilst. You need guys that are

comfortable on the ball. We have seen with New Zealand. Every man can

play and understands the decisions that need to be made and Ulster

looked comfortable on those wide channels. Ulster dominated the scrum

and that is what led to the second try? The pressure they have been

exerting in the scrum, the energy was zapped up on these grounds. It

takes its toll. Ulster needed to put the pressure back in, because the

pressure being absorbed is immense. Great awareness by Ruan Pienaar? You

could see him looking to see what was on and their plate to the boys,

they all stared alert. -- fair play to the boys. Everyone is alert, Ruan

Pienaar takes it. Tommy Bowe chooses the right option. It was executed

very well. John Afoa has made a real impression in the front row of the

scrum. He is the bees knees when it comes to that. He is up against

Gethin Jenkins who is a cracking prop himself, but John Afoa has

perfect technique. He is so strong and gets in there and knows when to

put the pressure on at the right time. Callum Black is having a good

game. He has been going better this season. This is the culmination of a

lot of pressure. There has been the focus this season on that, the

referee has won against each team there. He appealed to the referee.

If you are going to have a contest at the scrum, that is what they

want. They will want the ball in straight and the hooker lifting his

feet. We are getting consistency in the application of that rule. Ulster

will be disappointed to have conceded that try. They were doing

everything right, the scrum had given them the platform and they

were dominating this Cardiff tame. Against the run of play, Cardiff

managed to manufacture some scoring opportunities and by doing that, it

allowed them back into the contest. Ulster are not coming up as hard as

they were in the first 20 minutes. A little passive and they were getting

caught on the outside line. The defence is working well. This is

crazy, that ball is not out of the rock. Do not panic. Sit back, let

your defence in, trust your defence. Andrew Trimble should have stayed

where he was? I think so. You could see some confusion. Andrew Trimble

looks at the referee and there was confusion as to whether it was out.

The only person who did not have any decision was the Cardiff player who

picked it up and scored. What did you make of Stuart Olding's

performance? He looked comfortable. He did not have a huge amount to do.

He has got perception, he is a good footballer. He made a clever

decision, he set up a try. That is what Ulster are producing, young

players, very comfortable footballers to convey multiple

decisions. They have good stab and good distribution and good

decision-makers. Is this a bad long-term, Jarrod pain playing for

Ireland? They are looking at all their possessions. Darren Cave will

feel unlucky and he is on the bench. It is about versatility,

options for Ulster and Ireland. Mark Anscombe is allowing players to

experiment and the only air was the charge that were the only mistake

was the charge down. He is a good footballer. He is a great

footballer. We have seen magic from him. He has a lot of self-confidence

and you need that self-belief. This guy is the real deal. He is a

youngster, but he is showing the confidence of a seasoned

professional. His future is looking really Rosie. Thank you. Ruan

Pienaar has been at the heart of the success of Ulster and this week,

Gavin Andrews caught up with the South African to relive some of his

memorable moments at Ravenhill and find out why he is staying here

until 2017. You have been here so long they had changed Ravenhill.

Very different from your debut. It looks like a different place, it is

magnificent to come to Ravenhill and it looks like this. I think it was a

special day for me. We played Glasgow. I was very nervous. I

managed to score the try and I kicked a couple of goals and

hopefully the people were excited. Is there a particular moment that

made you decide you were going to sign on the dotted line? You think

about it every day. You find yourself thinking about the options

you have and I want to be the best for myself. You also think about

your family. We have loved our time here and I can see Mac -- I cant see

myself playing somewhere else. Hopefully I can play my best games

here. When you have won so many games, I want to take you out to

this point in the pitch and remember that night against the Dragons. I

worked my way up the pitch. I think I was in the middle. It was the last

play of the game and I managed to put it over. It is high, it is

good! Do you feel the pressure in those situations? I might look

calm, but I am nervous. It is moments like that but you live for.

Those are the games that you want to be apart of. You have said a lot of

rugby with the South Africans, what do they think of Ulster? I have lots

of friends in France. I'm sure there will be discussions. It is not easy

leaving your family and friends. When I retire, I hope I will come

back and see everyone again. I will look back at the days I have spent

here and I am sure there will be plenty more special mites. --

special nights. What does it say about Ulster Rugby and Northern

Ireland in general, that a player of his calibre can turn down more money

to stay here? It shows a lot about what is here in Northern Ireland.

The people make this place. It is absolutely magical. Unfortunately

the weather this morning, I would have thought otherwise, but it is a

truly magical place to be. The rugby is great, it is a really good

community. It gives this Ulster team a real focus on someone to build

over the next few years. Ulster have still got unfulfilled ambitions. If

you want to become a better side, it is non-negotiable, you have to

retain your best players and Ruan Pienaar has proved that he is one of

the best players in Europe. For Ulster to progress, it is essential

that they retain him. They have allowed Cardiff) in it? They

certainly have. You have got to apply pressure. It is so important

to maintain that pressure and keep the ball rolling. Send them into the

changing room nervous. Ulster have got to start the second half the way

they did the first? When the opportunity comes they forced the

advantage home. Tough to come off a number of wins they have done and

back it up week after week. I am sure it has been outlined at

half-time. They will want to deliver a win to another full house to

light? It is a special night here every night. But they want to back

up what they have done in the last couple of weeks and keep the

momentum going forward. It is back to the commentary team.

Jackson is on 50% at the moment. Ulster leading by two tries to one.

Jackson has assumed the captaincy of Ulster.

Ulster at one stage 16-3 up. They now have a point or two to score.

Paddy Jackson scuff that a little bit. The referee has played an

advantage. A good, strong run by Andrew

Trimble. Another good start to the half right

Ulster. Nicely picked up by Marshall. Another impressive start

by the men in white. Henry squeezes underneath. Good

support by Cal on black. What a start to the second half! Was

that two movements? He is allowed to stretch if he is held. Stuart has

the strength and the purpose to go through. Fending them off. I think

that is a try. I think it is as well. Always looking at the last

pass before the tribe. That looks flat. He wasn't held. Unless that

the pass is the dodgy bit, I think that is a try. He rides a couple of

tackles. Marshall happy awareness to realise he was not being held in the

tackle. I think that is a try. Marshall looks extremely strong.

The pass was good. Do you want me to look at the movement? The pass was

good for me, it is OK. The try has been given. Took them a while to get

there. Marshall has got his fourth league try. That is try number

three, for Ulster. One away from the bonus point, but they have stretched

the lead to ten points at the start of the second half with the

conversion from Paddy Jackson to come.

Not so good from Paddy Jackson. Two out of five. It is amazing how a man

can kick six out of six under pressure in Swansea. I think we will

just enjoy this try again. Well set up? Yes. Just the start to the

second half the Ulster management will have demanded over the

half-time break. Knocked on by Cardiff from the restart.

Stevenson seemed to tip that forward. The referee has given the

scrimmage to Ulster. Jenkins was nailed down. Nothing he

could do about that. Well taken by Halfpenny.

Ulster rattling hard for the turnover. Lloyd Williams who has

been putting himself about a bit. Henry comes through and the referee

said it is fine. Ulster get the penalty. Great game awareness and

appreciation. Realising the situation. Great upper body

strength. Ulster are going for the corner,

much to the delight of the crowd, who seem to have found their voice!

Ulster have grabbed this game by the jugular at the start of this second

half. Copeland making a nuisance of

himself. Penalty against Cardiff. They are starting to lose their

discipline. He could be in trouble. He was quite latent. He has gone for

the pocket. -- blatant. Copeland was in the middle of all that. Obviously

he has done very well, but that was stupidity thinking he was going to

get away with that. There is no hiding place these days. If the

referee does not see you, the chaps on the touchline well. And if they

don't see you, the guys upstairs well.

Paddy Jackson towards the war memorial ends. Much more relaxed. He

took his time about it. That will give Paddy Jackson a lot of

confidence because he has got his kicking boots back on and has added

three more points. I don't think he has been striking the ball

particularly badly. Six minutes gone in the second half and Ulster have

moved from 16-11, 224-11 ahead. I think he has overdone that. Good

idea, but not such a good kick. He decided to check and played the kick

down the line. Stevenson is going to have a big couple of weeks. He is

really putting his hand up tonight. Williams won't thank him for that.

The referee I think has got that hand-out.

He knew he was doing that one wrongly, but could not resist it. It

was like someone leaving a cream bun on a plate. Brian Smith. That was a

good strike and will give Cardiff a good position -- Rhys Patchell. The

opposition down to 14 men, you should be scoring half a dozen

points, Ulster have managed three. Cardiff kick the touch, they are

trying to take their time, run out that ten minutes. Sam Warburton has

been a big go to man. They are not using Bradley Davies or Philip

Smith. Good work there by Cardiff. John Afoa doing a bit of holding up.

The referee has given another penalty against Ulster. It was

against Rob Herring, number 16. That is a couple of unnecessary penalties

given. When you not too far away from a bonus point try, you need to

do everything to ensure you are not conceding. Once the team gets the

nod son, all it takes is someone to move sideways. The referee telling

him to have a word with his players. The offence was coming in from the

side. Full marks to Cardiff for enterprise, not going for what might

have been a regulation three points. They have gone for a corner and the

risk of a failed degree of confidence. We have not seen them

try that yet, but there are plenty of decent for words. -- for words.

Breeze with the throw in. Philip Smith takes. Ulster looked to be

short of men. Richard Smith has quiet first start for Cardiff,

trying to help. Jackson closed him down. Dafydd Hewitt. Great defence

by Ulster. Halfpenny, nicely done. They get it to Richard Smith but the

past might have been forward. We are going to have a look at it. As

Richard Smith got his first competitive try? He is probably even

bigger than Alex Cuthbert. He just got away from Stuart Olding and got

the ball down, but was there a forward pass before that? I do not

think there was. And nice piece of footwork for such a big man and a

good finish. -- a nice piece of footwork. Creating that consistency.

We were talking about it earlier, they have come out again, all guns

blazing, putting some distance between themselves and Cardiff and

releasing the pressure. With Cardiff down to 14 men, letting them get

back into the game. The referee, he is checking. He is still checking.

He wonders if there was a bit of obstruction. They are checking. That

looked all right. There was nothing wrong with the finish. He got the

ball across the Ulster line before he was bundled into touch. That is

going to be a second try for a card. Ulster leading by three -to two

tries. The gap has closed up ominously for the home side. Eight

points between them with the conversion to come. You have to

admire Cardiff in going to the corner. They are down a man as well.

They win their line-out. They were able to spring an opening in the

corner. They are deciding to make another adjustment. Only 24 years of

age and 44 international caps. He is moving a bit of our cabling. Do not

pull those are we are off the air! Halfpenny. He has brought by then.

It is a scruffy effort, but a great finish and all of a sudden, Ulster

have a lot to do again. Cardiff are only a converted try from leading in

this game. Hit it just about perfectly and it slipped in. Our

great strike by Halfpenny. Ulster 24, Cardiff 18. Ulster have to get

straight back into this, Williams and Cardiff looking confident. Back

in the Ulster side, Lewis Stevenson. He was nudged forward. Scrum to

Cardiff. It is all about concentration. Roger is a bit

unlucky. He gets there early and sets his stall out. He is coming

forward, but having to go up and over the top of the Cardiff man

forced a knock on. Some guys have difficulty seeing the ball tonight.

Whether it is the height, Halfpenny has misjudged a couple at the same

time which is unusual. Breeze is getting treatment again. Roger

Wilson playing his 140th game for Ulster and had he not had those four

seasons with the Northampton saints, he would have been close to 254

Ulster -- Northampton Saints. Cardiff scrum just inside the half.

A little bit of doubt for the Ulster supporters. Cardiff are not in a

rush. They have squeezed Ulster. Difficult for them to deal with and

Ulster get the penalty. That is a good scrum. That was fantastic.

Ulster put the squeeze on. That front row worked well. Rob Herring

has been consistent this year. With Rory Best not available, Rob Herring

lets no one down. I was impressed with Carl Black as well. I am

surprised he was not involved in the emerging Ireland team -- Callum

Black. Rather than go for the corner, Ulster have gone to try and

stretch the lead. It is Ruan Pienaar who is taking this one. His first

kick of the evening. That is about halfway to the City Hall in Belfast.

It needs to carry. What a kick by Ruan Pienaar! That is one of the

great kicks of the season! So three very precious points, Cardiff still

down to 14 men, what a kick! It is an absolute monster. Although Ulster

scored six points, Cardiff have got seven points from the converted try.

Ricky Lutton is on offer John Afoa. Chris Henry runs into Sam Warburton.

Cardiff dangerously close to being offside. A good kick from Ruan

Pienaar. It is handy for Halfpenny. Back it goes Ruan Pienaar. Jackson

outside him. -- back goes Ruan Pienaar. You can have a glance, he

has given that plenty of hide and Jackson is underneath that. Well

taken. Jackson has gone to the ground. He presented the ball well.

Oh dear! Holding on in the tackle. They did not get there in time. He

takes the ball, the defender has to wait for him to land. It is

questionable whether the Cardiff centre has released the ball. We see

him make the tackle and he goes to ground, does he release him? That is

a questionable one. It is hard to see from there. There are so many

bodies. The result of all this is that Halfpenny has the chance to

pull back three points for Cardiff to make it a converted try game. Dan

Tuohy is getting some treatment. Halfpenny almost physically

unrecognisable from the little slip of a fellow who made his Wales debut

as a teenager. He is a real muscular specimen. That is a very good kick

from Halfpenny. Only six points between them as we come up to the

end of the third quarter. Ulster 27, Cardiff 21. It is important is that

Ulster gain dominance. They need to get into the Cardiff half and stay

there. Dan Tuohy with his left leg heavily strapped. Knocked into touch

by Cardiff and it will be an Ulster line-out. Mark Anscombe will be

concerned about the mistakes, particularly the mistakes leading to

penalties. It is the Kunduz -- consistency in the Ulster

performance. There are moments of brilliance and moments were we

switch off completely. It is leading to the pound of mistakes. -- to the

account of mistakes. There is John Afoa looking on. We will learn what

his future will be soon. Ricky Lutton on against Gethin Jenkins.

The ball was knocked into touch by Cardiff and Ulster have the option

of the line I'd ordered the scrummage. -- or the scrummage. Ruan

Pienaar, Robbie Diack. A good run by Robbie Diack. Ulster give away

another penalty! Holding out on the tackle. It is that isolation factor.

Robbie goes to the ground and there is no support. Cardiff stay on their

feet and they are entitled to play the ball. That is one of the reasons

Cardiff beat Toulon last week. They won the battle on the ground. There

was the drive. He is on his own. Lewis Stevenson came in but he was

penalised for not releasing. Sam Warburton at shops around the knees

and then he is back on his feet. -- shops hem around the knees. Illegal

blocking at the line-out. Sam Warburton who should know better.

Will they ask Ruan Pienaar to go for the post. Sam Warburton is disgusted

with himself. There was a little bit of blocking there. you see Warburton

getting himself in between the Ulster players. Well picked up by

the referee. He did that before Bradley Davies got his hands on the

ball. Just about 20 minutes remaining. Pienaar from the opposite

side of the pitch, but it he took a final glance at the posts,

then focused on the ball. Of the posts. That tackle by Payne and

Cardiff get away with that. Cardiff have looked the more composed. That

was very close. Ulster have the ball in the line-out. He definitely had

the distance. Kicking from that far out, you need to get the chases

their quick enough. Cardiff just about had enough time. That was

comfortably over, nearly halfway up the post. Cardiff bringing in

replacements. Henry at the back for the Ulster line-out.

An untidy line-out for Ulster. They have lost their concentration and

their grip on this game. They should know better. Better work at the

breakdown by Chris Henry. Pick and drive-by Cardiff. Good protection

for Lloyd Williams. Obstruction. He just turned his back and

completely blocked him. He just knew what he was doing. Had a cheeky look

up to make sure he picked up the blocking line and held his ground.

It has been a good contest at breakdown times.

He has missed it again! Three out of seven the Paddy Jackson. Will Ulster

regret a below par kicking performance in about 16 or 17

minutes? If he gets them he does not show any emotion, if he misses them,

he does not show any emotion. Directory said it was not forward

right Ulster. The referee played the advantage. Taken by Olding. That was

well intended. What a kick! There was somebody in the crowd who got a

bit of string on that ball and pulled it into the corner.

Unfortunately for Cardiff it has gone against him. Kicks away. Double

bounce. It just runs away from the defender who has got no chance. He

probably knows not to touch that in some ways. Taken in by Bradley

Davies for Cardiff. Lots of aggression from Warburton. Pienaar

right on top of them. He cannot complain about the ball he got. The

dead ball area is much narrower than what it used to be. From one the

stadium -- when the stadium was redeveloped. Under 15 minutes

remaining. Ulster only six points to the good, having dominated so much

of this game in terms of possession and territorial.

-- territory. Diack has had another good game.

It is coming back on the Ulster side, but it is very slow.

Trimble! That must be the bonus point try. The man who got two

against Cardiff last time they were has got one tonight. Simple but

affect it. Great use of the screen runners which is something Ulster

have done well tonight. The replay is coming up. The ball past behind.

Simple transfer. This is textbook stuff. It is all about putting the

ball in front of the man, making him stretch and getting the timing

right. Jets watch Olding. Straightens the line-up and commits

the defender. That is the try that gives Ulster

the Boyne is the try that gives Ulster the boilers point. 13 minutes

remaining. -- that is the try back gives Ulster

the bonus point. Ulster are going to bring on a

replacement. Jackson kicked. He does it well.

Straight down the middle. Not a bad tactical kick.

He gathered it, back inside to Wilson. I think it was a nudge

forward by Ulster. It was like a basketball pass by Payne. That look

debatable. I am not sure if it was the not forward all the forward

pass. I am not sure there was a knock forward. I think Payne will

move to fullback. Just over ten minutes remaining.

Ulster 11 points to the good with a bonus point try in the bag. That was

nowhere near straight. It is a penalty because it does not matter

if it was the same scrum-half. They cannot have any complaints about

that. Last week in the European cup, the scrum-half was calling for it as

well. He has changed his mind, it was a different scrum-half. It was

his first offence, so I got my law is wrong.

Ulster have the whole width of the park in which to play. Completely

new Cardiff front row. Likewise for Ulster. That has been a great facet

of Ulster's play all evening. Little bit too much pressure on

Matt. -- that. What a tackle. Just forced the past

is a little bit. It is days like this the bonus point

win should propel Ulster up the table.

Payne is still going. Trimble, legs pumping, made extra ground. Payne

does everything supremely well. He is the consumer to off load. Always

manages to get the ball away. He went around the outside of the

defender. He was a bit unlucky. The ball capture has been turned to

face Ulster. But he has got it back. Trimble, well taken. Away by

Pienaar. Wonderful touch on. Trimble into

touch. Great awareness. He knew the tackle was coming. Flipped it over

his head. Andrew Trimble has had a very good game. Disappointed he is

not in the Irish squad for the international series. Ulster making

another replacement. He is almost the forgotten man of

the Ulster squad. This is his first appearance of the season. Saw a

couple of seasons dine in, at. Kristian Dacey has put that in and

Ulster have the option of a line-out, but I think they will take

the standard one, the scrummage. Sam Warburton, good skipper that he is,

he is trying to keep his side going. They turned over to Lana week ago.

It looks as if they will come away from Ravenhill anti-handed --

Toulon. A good position by Ricky Lutton -- empty handed. There is a

fine example, wonderful scrummaging by Ulster. Wonderful control by

Roger Wilson. Ruan Pienaar, Jackson, a flat pass to Stuart Olding. I

guess those are things that Mark Anscombe would prefer to be executed

slightly better. The scrum has been a high point tonight. Even with the

change of personnel with Tom Cord and Ricky Lutton on, it has been

good from start to finish. Alan Clark will be happy. A cut on the

side of Stuart Olding. He was in collision with Dafydd Hewitt.

Taufa'ao Filise is in trouble as well. David Erwin is deciding to put

some tape around it. I do not think he will give him sympathy. He has

inflicted wound or to himself. Mark Anscombe is talking to Johnny Bell.

On his other side is Alan Clark. He has looked accomplished tonight. He

will ask a few more questions comes selection time, it is nice to have

versatility. He is happy to play anywhere. He does not want to be

made in a jack of all trades. Ulster are looking to get their best

players in various positions. There is Mike McComish. In by Jones, what

is shelved by the Ulster for words! Bigoted way to Halfpenny who has had

no chance to use his running skills. -- they get it away. Lou

Reed. A great tackle by Rob Herring. Great pace, he is the

former flank forward. This is Kristian Dacey. Ricky Lutton held

him up. Jones gets it away. Gareth Davies does kick and he finds a

decent touch but it will be an Ulster line-out. As solid Ulster

defence. Good chase down with good speed. -- a solid defence. There is

Gareth Davies. A late developer. He is 29 now. Chris Czekaj is on for

Cardiff. They are bringing on Rory Watts-Jones as well. His hairstyle

has not changed much over the years. Kristian Dacey at the back. There is

Rory Watts-Jones, the 24-year-old. Stephenson wins it well, Jackson,

they could not get it away, but they bled on. Stuart Olding, head

bandaged, not deterred, Jackson, this is Mike McComish, good state

set up by Dan Tuohy. Here is Jackson, Ulster looking for a fifth

try -- 's -- sidestep. Lovely little piece of continuity. What a side

step by Dan Tuohy. You go back to how comfortable the southern

hemisphere sides have looked. Ulster are getting their with regard to

that. They looked comfortable. They keep the ball alive, that keeps the

speed in the game and stretches the defence. Roger Wilson has had an

outstanding night. Ricky Lutton there. They want to get it away more

quickly. Ruan Pienaar, have blocked, Jackson, nothing wrong with that.

Tommy Bowe, gives it to Jared Payne. A wonderful pop-up by Jared Payne.

Jackson, Wilson nearly got that one, it looked like it was over the top.

Jared Payne, Jackson, Stuart Olding, wonderful line, gets it away. A

sweet pass by Tom Court. Here goes Jackson, Mike McComish outside him.

Desperate defence by Cardiff, Ricky Lutton. Cardiff have slowed it down.

Ruan Pienaar again and Stuart Olding. It went backwards, Darren

Cave. Stuart Olding. Ruan Pienaar, Chris Henry, Wilson. Another one

which Ulster should have manage, still there for Cardiff. Referee is

playing advantage and Cardiff will be happy to get this ball away.

Jones takes it forward. Lewis Jones. They are surprised to get that.

Jones. Kristian Dacey. Still therefore Ulster, Jackson, here is

Tommy Bowe. Well taken by Andrew Trimble. Jared Payne, Alawite. Going

for a second try. Dan Tuohy! First Ulster try by Dan Tuohy! Filth

Ulster try by Dan Tuohy and that runs of a splendid evening for

Ulster. By no means perfect, but it is pretty impressive. Ulster using

the full width of the pitch. It was crying out for that. There is Dan

Tuohy lurking in the outer reaches. It was a serious butcher's try. Dan

Tuohy, his second try taking his total up to six. He is deserving of

his place in the squad for the internationals. Ruan Pienaar for the

last kick of the game. Ulster have got five precious league points

tonight. Having lost an opening two games, they have now won four in a

row. Ruan Pienaar from the touchline. Absolutely perfect by

Ruan Pienaar. The referee blows his whistle, Ulster have completed a

pretty good night at the office and they defeated the Cardiff Blues by

an impressive scoreline. It is Ulster 39 and Cardiff Blues 21. Andy

Ward and Ryan Constable have been enjoying an entertaining contest.

Ulster made it look difficult but turned in an excellent performance.

They showed professionalism to get the job done. They had some rocky

stages. They just kept going and I liked that. They got the whole thing

going and it has been coming for a while. There were mistakes, but some

of the passages of play were outstanding. Some of the phases they

went through to create those opportunities, and when they created

them that they finish them. They got the points, five in the bag, very

important after that run to refocus back on the Pro12 and they have done

that. Ruan Pienaar had an excellent game. Man of the match is Jared

Payne. He is so cool under pressure. People get tired of hearing about

him, but he is instrumental in our lot of good things. Let us hear from

Jared Payne. Another man of the match display. Cardiff are good

team. They definitely came back at us. We let them into the game with

some silly mistakes. It got tighter than we liked but we hung end and we

finish them off. Heidi you enjoyed playing? It is good, I enjoyed it. I

did Stuart Olding get on? -- how did Stuart Olding. He might put me out

of the position. What impressed you most about how Ulster close the

match? The handling. The all Blacks are fantastic. They showed some

depth touches. They came off the bench and got into the game. It

looked seamless. When you put a few players on, there is a stop start

momentum, but it looked seamless tonight. It keeps that momentum

ticking over. If Ulster can play that high tempo game, they will be

tough to beat. Thank you. We will have more reaction on our website.

Just a reminder that Ulster are in action next Saturday, I to the

Scarlet. You can see that on the BBC sport website -- away to the

Scarlet. The important thing is that they came away with the bonus point

win.